Are you dreaming of warm, flaky crust cradling sweet, juicy cherries? Then look no further! This mini cherry pie recipe is the perfect solution for a delightful dessert or a charming addition to your next picnic. These individual pies are surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers, and offer a delicious homemade treat without the fuss of a large pie. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these bite-sized pieces of heaven! This recipe is a perfect example of easy recipes and healthy meals that don't compromise on taste.
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- ¼ cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 3 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries (if using frozen, thaw and drain well)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in butter: Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add water: Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial for a flaky crust.
Assembling and Baking the Mini Pies:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, gently combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ⅛ inch thickness. Use a 4-inch cookie cutter or a knife to cut out circles.
- Fill the pies: Place each dough circle in a mini muffin tin. Fill each circle with about 1-2 tablespoons of the cherry filling.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool: Let the mini pies cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Mini Cherry Pies:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better your ingredients, the better your pies will taste.
- Don't overwork the dough: Overworking the dough will make it tough.
- Chill the dough thoroughly: Chilling the dough helps prevent shrinkage during baking.
- Blind bake (optional): For extra-crispy crusts, you can pre-bake the crusts for 10 minutes before adding the filling.
Variations:
- Add a streusel topping: For an extra layer of deliciousness, sprinkle a streusel topping over the pies before baking.
- Use different fruit: Substitute the cherries with other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries.
- Make it a hand pie: Instead of using a muffin tin, you can fold the dough over the filling to create individual hand pies.
Nutritional Information (per pie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 150-200
- Fat: 8-10g
- Carbohydrates: 20-25g
- Sugar: 15-20g
- Protein: 2-3g
These mini cherry pies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without being overly indulgent. They're quick dinner ideas, perfect for a simple dessert or a delightful addition to a summer gathering. Enjoy these delicious dishes, a perfect example of homemade cooking at its finest! They're among the best recipes for a reason!